Thanks Win…
A similar story to yours concerning the flu, covid and shingles jabs.
After joining a new company in 1972 the boss paid for us all to have the flu jab (you had to pay for it then) a few days after taking the jab I had the worst case of flu I ever had, before or since. I promptly decided never to have the flu jab again.
I had shingles in 2009 but continued to work throughout with just some prescribed Ibuprofen. I have since refused the jab… 
And in 2021 my wife and myself caught covid. We were determined not to be hospitalised and never to have the vaccinations. We thought we were going to die…But we survived, and believe that our immune systems are better for the experience. This was proved when I caught covid again in 2023…It was no worse than a cold and lasted about three days.
So far I’ve survived three heart attacks (touch wood 
) and still continue to run, albeit shorter and slower than my marathon running days. I honestly believe that running has saved my life over the years, and this has been echoed by the few cardiologists I have had the pleasure of having been treated by. We do disagree on the amount of meds I should be taking though. I only take one for my heart and one for the gout…
Years ago, I recall “The big aspirin cure.” Doctors reported that daily aspirin thins the blood & would prevent a heart attack or stroke, After that report, I’d walk into a store & there was no aspirin on the shelf; it was sold out. Doctors were telling all their patients who were over 50 to take daily aspirin. My dad’s doctor put him on daily aspirin. He was 80 at the time & rarely sick. I took him to the ER twice for GI bleeds.
On the second visit, the doctor told me, “You got him here just in time; he almost bled out.”
I said, “Does this have anything to do with aspirin?”
“No,” said the doctor," “The aspirin is preventing a stroke.”
After admitting him for blood transfusions, I read up on daily aspirin & blood thinners in general. Whatever benefits they may have in preventing blood clots were counteracted by increasing the risk of bleeding & causing a hemmoragic stroke (Brain Bleed).
There is also the risk of internal bleeding from a minor bump or bruise. And older people’s balance is already compromised by age & blood thinners cause dizziness & vertigo, increasing the risk of falls. Before my dad was released, I threw away all the aspirin in the house.
Although I’ve taken a 75mg Aspirin on and off since 2004 over the last few years I’ve been having some stomach problems so I have been reading about Aspirin and it’s use in preventing strokes and heart attacks.
Back in 2004 there was very little information about Aspirin, but I was surprised to find some very critical information recently.
Apparently as you correctly mention, the long term use of Aspirin can cause Brain Bleeds, which is also a type of stroke. Furthermore, one article I read suggested that a large test group of people who were separated into two groups, one group taking Aspirin each day, and a control group who were not. It was found that there was no benefit to either group, and minimal difference for people who had previous heart attacks and strokes.
That’s the issue I have with newly-announced “Medical Miracles.” The news will report whatever they’re told to report, people will take it as gospel, (after all, who isn’t scared of a heart attack or stroke), doctors will be interviewed on TV (likely well paid by the drug’s maker), along with
“Bayer Works Wonders” ads, the product will sell & profit big time for years, then we’re told, “Well, it wasn’t such a good idea after all.”
I just remembered a similar ad campaign with oatmeal. A news report said “Oatmeal will lower cholesterol & reduce your risk.” Suddenly, there was a big empty space on the shelf where Quaker Oats used to be - it sold out. Not to be outdone, "Cheerios added a message on their box: “Clinically proved to reduce your risk of heart disease.”
The fact is, any food that contains soluble fiber will reduce cholesterol & also regulate blood sugar. Beans & fruit are much higher in soluble fiber & much better than a highly-processed cereal.
The really important thing to control is high blood pressure.
Also when it comes to plaques sticking to your arteries, I once read a study that if you eat a doughnut when stressed, the plaques will stick. If you eat it when you are relaxed the environment for them sticking is more hostile. So don’t comfort eat when you’re angry or upset. De-stress before you digest. It’s probably the result of the way the blood flows when you are upset or angry. A lot of people rush their food or eat on the go and that’s really bad for you.
In terms of cholesterol, a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet, low bmi, no smoking or drinking totally reduces your CHD etc risk even if you have raised “bad” cholesterol.
All true @AnnieS . But it still doesn’t account for the dangers of getting run over by a No 11 bus while you’re crossing the road to get to an organic fair trade shop. 
That’s just gross negligence Dex…
And all vegetarians and vegans think that Soy is healthy…Read on…
Soy Alert! The Dangerous Truth Of Soy Revealed! 1 Tablespoon Of Soybean Oil Has More Estrogen Than 1 Birth Control Pill. Soybean Oil contains 28,370 ug Estrogen per tablespoon & most Birth Control Pills contain on average 20,000 ug Estradiol Estrogen. 2 Cups Of Soymilk Has The Estrogen Equivalent Of 1 Birth Control Pill. Fast Food Chicken Nuggets & Fries Using Soybean Oil Is The Equivalent In Estrogen To 3 Birth Control Pills. 1 Bottle Of Soy Baby Formula Has The Estrogen Equivalent Of 1 Birth Control Pill. Soy is now ubiquitous in the modern diet. Soy is in 1,000s of foods in the form of soybean oil, soy milk, soy flour, soy lecithin & soy protein. Most people are unaware of how much soy they consume. In small amounts, traditional fermented soy products like miso, tempeh & natto are not harmful. This is how soy is traditionally consumed in Asian countries. The processed form – which is how soy is predominantly consumed in the U.S. is not fermented – it has a toxic effect. Harms of Soy: Hormonal Disruptor…Soy contains plant estrogens as Phytoestrogens which effectively raise your estrogen levels & lowers testosterone. Causes Hypothyroid…Soy contains high levels of goitrogens which inhibit the thyroid’s ability to utilize iodine correctly & leads to hypothyroid. Lectins…Alters Leptin sensitivity which leads to Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Syndrome/Obesity. Cancer…High intake of Soy increases Breast & Prostate Cancer. Phytic Acid…Blocks absorption of Zinc, Calcium, Iron & Magnesium. And also causes allergy response to IGG. Gut Microbiome…GMO & Pesticides harm the GI Tract & leak to malabsorption syndrome. Heavy Metals…Soybeans contain high levels of Lead, Nickel & Cadmium. These cause behavior & neurological harms in both children & adults. 22 Soy Studies Showing Harmful Diseases https://westonaprice.org/health-topics/soy-studies-2015-2023/#gsc.tab=0… Soy Is Not A Health Food https://healthybabycode.com/5-myths-about-pregnancy-nutrition-4-soy-is-a-healthy-alternative-to-meat-dairy… Soy Studies On Harmful Effects & Illness https://westonaprice.org/health-topics-category/soy-alert/#gsc.tab=0… Video Speaker: Dr Tyler Kruse
LOL. Reminded me of a comedian’s routine:
"I don’t understand why the airlines haven’t figured out how to eliminate deaths in plane crashes. What do they always say after a crash?
“We recovered the Black Box, it’s not damaged & we’re listening to it to find out what happened. Why don’t they make the plane out of the same stuff they make the Black Box out of?”
New research has found that statins are safer and do not cause the majority of side effects listed in the information leaflets.
Statin pills much safer than advertised, major review finds - BBC News
I thought the most common side effect that puts people off is muscle pain and problems. That’s not mentioned in the article.
It does say muscle damage is rare.
Statin therapy can sometimes cause muscle damage, but this is rare. They can also cause a small increase in blood sugar levels which might bring on diabetes sooner in people who are susceptible. Again, this is rare.
I’m not sure about damage, but muscle pain when taking statins is very common
I must be one of the lucky ones.
I was trying to find out who funded that “Major Review,” but that’s likely not available to the general public for obvious reasons. It reminds me of another “Major Review” a few years ago that showed that Metformin - a common diabetes drug - prevented breast cancer in mice. At the bottom of the article in tiny print that required a magnifying glass to read, it said:
"This study was funded by “Merck - the drug’s manufacturer.”
Not all statins work the same on different people Scot.
Suitable alternatives can be found if a person experiences difficulties.
I have always preferred not to take the risk, same with any other medication I deem to be dangerous to my health.
These medications must be working, if folks are going further, fully compos mentis.
Nothing to do with diet or the fact that nobody does any proper work anymore Spitty?
They work well for some people but make the quality of life others such that they cannot continue.
I don’t think the scientific community understands why some people suffer dire side effects from medications, while others happily pop every pill and feel wonderful. Suffice it to say that many medications for one condition, have effects on parts of the body they are not prescribed to treat. It seems we are finding that out slowly. Some may be beneficial “by product” type effects, while others may not. We do know that many meds have negative effects on the kidney & liver function. But that’s known because it’s easy to measure. Not so easy to check effects on tissues and other organs.
It’s interesting that statins led to my late friend’s rare cancer being discovered when she went into emergency crisis and peritonitis a week after starting them. What that has to do with cholesterol I don’t know, but it does beg the question whether they reach parts other meds do not.
All pharmaceuticals have side effects. It’s a matter of weighing out the amount of harm they could do to you if you take them versus how much harm you could go through if you didn’t.
Many cases of hypercholesterolemia are familial, nothing to do with diet and physical activity, like my case for example, inherited from my mum. I’m careful with saturated fats and try to excersise frequently. 
We don’t want any plaques in our arteries blocking the way, do we now? 